Registered Nurse Salary in Arizona: $104,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $104,816/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $106,412 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Prescott Valley ($104,980), Prescott ($104,422), Chandler ($101,536).
In 2026, the average median salary for registered nurses in Arizona is projected to be $104,816, exceeding the national median of $102,730 by 2.0%. Notably, Prescott Valley is the highest-paying city in the state, with salaries reaching $110,554, while Sierra Vista offers the lowest at $89,914, resulting in a significant gap of $20,640. The disparity in salaries across cities can be attributed to factors such as cost of living variations, regional demand for healthcare services, and the availability of specialized nursing roles. Arizona’s registered nurses operate under specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence job functions and salary levels. The state continues to face increasing demand for healthcare services, driven by an aging population and advancements in medical technology, contributing to a growth rate of 5.31% in employment for registered nurses. With a total of 70,954 registered nurses currently employed, cities like Prescott, Chandler, Phoenix, and Flagstaff also show substantial salary ranges ranging from $106,184 to $109,967, reflecting local healthcare needs and economic conditions. Overall, the job market for registered nurses in Arizona appears strong, with growth opportunities projected in the coming years.
Arizona Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $66,288 (lowest entry-level) to $155,372 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona registered nurses earn 2.03% more than the national median (+$2,086/year difference).
Arizona Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Arizona range from $74,068 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $136,677 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,816. The Arizona median is $2,086 above the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $50.40/hr. Approximately 70,954 registered nurses are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,180
2025 BLS Actual
$99,531
2026 Current Est.
$104,816
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,265 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,398 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,369 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,531 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 29.0% from $77,180 (2019) to $99,531 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,202 (43.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sierra Vista | $89,914 |
| Sedona | $93,246 |
| Nogales | $93,567 |
| Oro Valley | $94,156 |
| Apache Junction | $95,767 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley | $110,554 | 98.255 | $112,517 |
| Prescott | $109,967 | 98.5 | $111,642 |
| Chandler | $106,928 | 98.5 | $108,556 |
| Mesa | $105,670 | 98.5 | $107,279 |
| Yuma | $99,328 | 92.706 | $107,143 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,068 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,816 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $136,677 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescott Valley | $110,554 |
| 2 | Prescott | $109,967 |
| 3 | Chandler | $106,928 |
| 4 | Phoenix | $106,184 |
| 5 | Flagstaff | $106,131 |
| 6 | Mesa | $105,670 |
| 7 | Scottsdale | $104,678 |
| 8 | Glendale | $104,310 |
| 9 | Gilbert | $101,845 |
| 10 | Peoria | $101,514 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $100,684 |
| 12 | Avondale | $100,534 |
| 13 | Marana | $100,156 |
| 14 | San Tan Valley | $99,865 |
| 15 | Tempe | $99,748 |
| 16 | Yuma | $99,328 |
| 17 | Surprise | $99,114 |
| 18 | Tucson | $99,107 |
| 19 | Lake Havasu City | $98,981 |
| 20 | Goodyear | $98,961 |
| 21 | Kingman | $98,692 |
| 22 | Queen Creek | $98,544 |
| 23 | Buckeye | $97,623 |
| 24 | Florence | $96,961 |
| 25 | Casa Grande | $96,750 |
| 26 | Bullhead City | $96,738 |
| 27 | El Mirage | $96,306 |
| 28 | Sahuarita | $95,890 |
| 29 | Apache Junction | $95,767 |
| 30 | Oro Valley | $94,156 |
| 31 | Nogales | $93,567 |
| 32 | Sedona | $93,246 |
| 33 | Sierra Vista | $89,914 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Arizona?
How does Arizona registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Arizona?
How many registered nurses are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for registered nurses?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov